*Oscar Delaney*  I walked into the bar, the smell of whiskey and cigarette smoke filled the air. The energy inside was tangible. The low hum of conversation created an alluring atmosphere. Lethargy had pushed me to the brink of delirium. One more step and I'd have gone over the edge. Coming to the bar had been on impulse and now I could see it was the right move. If I was lucky enough, I'd pick up a woman to fill up the recent void eating me away. With a quick scan of the room, my eyes landed on her. She was sitting alone at the end of the bar, sipping on her drink. She had to be the one. She looked enigmatic, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her delicate face. Confidence surged through my veins as I made my way toward her, my heart pounding with every step. The sound of her laughter reached my ears, a melodious symphony that I yearned to be a part of. Her strong cheekbones and regal manner didn't fit in with the bar. She didn't belong there. She exuded an intoxicating aura. I decided then and there that I had to try my luck and strike up a conversation with this enchanting woman. She was old enough to be my mother but she wasn't. So what? I found older women attractive. Here goes nothing... Making my way through the crowd, I approached the bar, taking a seat next to her. Offering a friendly smile, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way her lips curled up ever so slightly in response. Confidence surged through me as I ordered a whiskey, hoping to engage her in a conversation. She was just the kind of woman I was looking for. "Is this seat taken?" I asked, pointing to the stool next to her. She looked at me for a brief moment, her eyes locking onto mine, and replied in a seductive tone, "Not anymore." Her voice had a chorale that sent quivers down my spine. Without wasting any precious time, I decided to take the plunge, testing the waters of our chemistry. It's swim or drown after all... "Pardon my forwardness, but I couldn't help but notice the way your eyes sparkled when you smile. They caught me off guard, you know," I said, yet the words felt like they stumbled out of my mouth. "What happens when I don't smile?" She asked leaning forever with her brows raised. "Still sparkles. Yep definitely." I nodded. Smiling, she leaned in closer, her intoxicating scent clouding my senses. "And what caught your eye, besides my sparkling eyes?" she teased, a glint of mischief in her gaze. I chuckled lightly, trying to regain my composure. "Well, aside from the obvious, there's an undeniable allure in the way you carry yourself. It's as if you have a secret, and I can't help but be drawn to mysteries." "That is shockingly accurate. Not bad." She smiled. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, with each passing exchange allowing our connection to grow deeper. We shared insights, our words dancing in a soft rhythm. As the night progressed, it seemed the intensity between us grew thicker, like an electric charge sparking with every subtle touch and lingering gaze. The drinks flowed, our inhibitions becoming blurred lines as we indulged in the thrill of this most exciting encounter. I was 100% sure I knew how the night was going to end. I could almost see her waking up in my bed. At one point, she leaned in, close enough for me to feel her warm breath against my ear. "You know, this might be a dangerous game we're playing," she whispered, her voice dripping with desire. A shiver laced through my body as her words danced across my skin. At that moment, the connection between us became undeniable, with a magnetic force tugging us relentlessly closer. It was a game of temptation, neither of us willing to back down. "Sometimes," I answered, my voice barely a whisper, "danger is healthy. Haven't you heard that saying?" "What saying?" "Something about danger being a pathway to living." I shrugged. The alcohol in my system was making it hard to think. She giggled. "I see." With that, she smiled devilishly, intertwining her fingers with mine. As the night wore on, our conversation took a turn, evolving into the unspoken language of passion and longing. The conversation was no longer composed of just words, but of the silent symphony of desire. "This has been fun and all," she said, waving her hand at the barman. "But I have to go now." By her hurried movement, I could tell she was in a hurry. I could also see the numbers plummeting on the percentage of success I had anticipated in taking her back home. Do something... "Can I walk you or-" "It's fine. I got a car packed outside." She said with a smile that tightened my chest in a vice grip. She was slipping away from my fingers faster than sand on a beach. "Can I-" "Look," she got up. "It has been fun and all but I have to move on now." "But I thought we were having a connection," I said, grasping at straws. "You're young enough to be my son." Fuck... Her words clogged my mind completely. I tried to recover, to say something smart, something that would bring back my certain 100% but it was too late. It felt like a utility knife ripping through a sheet of paper. "Wait!" I scrambled from the stool. She stopped mid-stride, and turned halfway, staring back at me with impatience. "I didn't get your name." "That's because I never told you." I like her... She's as fierce as they come. "Please?" I said closing the distance between us. Her eyes glowed at me. She was infuriated by my guts but she liked it. I could tell through the smile playing at the edge of her lips. "Fine." She whispered into my ear. "I'm Joanne Matheus." *** Joanne Matheus Flirting with him had given me a taste of my youth and it was fun but there was no point in dragging it on. I moved away from him and made my way to the door. Ariel was waiting for me. Knowing her, she was seconds away from calling the FBI to update my name on the missing person's list. Ariel, my daughter, is all grown up now. It didn't change anything because she would always be the sweet little girl I raised her to be but somewhere along the line our roles had changed. The liquor in my system sharpened my wits. I found Davis's car where I packed it and drove the short distance back to the cabin. I planned on staying in town for a week and so far I had to say it's a pretty okay town. Ariel could do better though. "Mom!" Ariel rushed out of her seat immediately I walked in. I smiled. "Relax, honey. I just went to have a few drinks at the bar." "I was close to freaking out an hour ago but Davis reassured me you'd be fine." I mouthed a "thank you" to Davis. He was an okay guy. Ariel loved him which was all that matters anyway. "Joanne," Davis walked over to the chair. "There's this beach thing we have planned for tomorrow. We're hoping you wouldn't mind coming along. It beats sitting in her all day sulking." Well, I have my bar now so... "I'll think about it," I said, shrugging. Beach parties weren't my thing anymore. Maybe some years ago when I still had a killer figure worth showing off in a bikini. "Please, Mommy." Ariel moaned, making her voice exactly like it did when she was a child. Fuck! "Okay fine." I sighed. "You got me." Ariel's face lit up with an incredible smile. It still amazes me from time to time how a fuck up like me had managed to bring something so beautiful into this flawed world. She had taken most of Jeff's features except for her big brown eyes and smile; those were all me. The next day came faster than it should have. Davis wore a floral shirt with the buttons open just enough to reveal his hairy chest while Ariel put on a simple transparent dress that showed off her yellow two-piece bikini. A bold choice if you asked me. They were really into this beach stuff. The sun cast a dull glow across the beach as I sat there, my toes buried deep in the sand. The rhythmic crashing of waves provided a soothing melody, creating a peaceful ambiance that put my restless mind at ease. I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift away like the foam of the sea. It had been a while since I felt inner peace like this. I relaxed further into the comfort of it all. Lost in my world, I felt someone sit down next to me, their presence gentle and intriguing. My eyes fluttered open, meeting a pair of captivating hazel eyes that shimmered with mischief. It was him. The man from the previous night. Did he follow me here? That seemed unlikely. He had an energetic aura that took everything in his path inside it. It had been the same way when I had met him in a dimly lit bar and found myself drawn to his enigmatic charm. A warm smile played on his lips as if he had been waiting for this moment. "Fancy seeing you here," he said, his voice low and melodious, carried away by the salty breeze. "I hope I'm not intruding." His lightheartedness brought a sense of comfort, and I found myself cloning his smile. "Not at all," I replied, brushing my hair away from my face. "The beach is for anyone who seeks solace or so I heard." He chuckled, his eyes glinting with subtle amusement. "Solace, you say? Well, I suppose I'm in good company then." Fuck! Does he have a response to everything or what? Curiosity mingled with excitement as I tried to anticipate his motives for seeking me out. Was he simply drawn to the allure of a fleeting connection, or was there something more profound behind those captivating eyes? I was eager to find out. Or maybe he was one of those guys who got off fucking with an older woman. The warning lights went off at the back of my mind. We talked, and not eager to delve into personal details, I said less. He leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. "I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you again. Fate works in mysterious ways." My heart skipped a beat, uncertainty mingling with a budding sense of anticipation. I had sensed the instant connection the previous night, and now sitting next to him, listening to the soft cadence of his voice, it was becoming undeniable. "And what do you make of this so-called fate?" I asked, my voice barely audible but laced with undeniable intrigue. Be careful... He's dangerous. He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine as if he were contemplating his next move. "Maybe," he began softly, "fate intertwines our hearts when it recognizes something extraordinary." "Those eyes. They're unique and familiar at the same time." He mused for a while. "I can't seem to put a finger on it." I grinned. "You probably know my daughter- Ariel." "Whoa!" He gasped. "You're Ariel's mom." I nodded knowing I had just given him the one thing that would undeniably shift his attention elsewhere. It was for the best. Dammit... He's friggin' handsome! "I had no idea Ariel had such a beautiful mother." His eyes played a dance of seduction pulling into my soul. Fuck... He's not going to quit. His words warmed my insides and lit a raging fire within me all at once. This is madness! "Why me?" I heard myself say in a strained voice. A smile played on his lips. I wondered what Ariel would think if she saw me here talking to him. Flirting with him. "How about I answer your question tomorrow? I'll pick you up." Is he seriously planning to take me out on a date? He got up to leave and all I could do was stare at his wonderfully built body as it vanished along the other side of the beach. I never got his name.    

*Oscar Delaney* She was an extraordinary woman. I could tell. Her deep sensual aura made every second I spent in her presence excruciatingly painful.   My dick hardened as I thought about our recent encounter on the beach. She struck me as a woman with many layers and the possibility of getting a chance to pull them back turned me on. Everything about her turned me on.   It didn't sway my determination knowing she was Ariel's mom. I could see it now. The deep hypnotic blue eyes. The lingering smile.   Ariel was a wonderful person and her presence in town had a positive impact right from the first minute she arrived.   We weren't really close but Davis was my boy. We had been deputies in the Sheriff's office for three years now. If there was any man alive I'd want beside me if I had to walk on hot coal then it would be Davis.   He was an okay guy.   If I was going ahead with this then I had to run it by him. There was no way around it and knowing Davis, he probably wouldn't mind.   My dick throbbed at the realization I was going to see her the next time. The town had just one solid spot for these kinds of things. That was the thing with small towns. Maybe on our next date, I'll take her out to a classy place I know out in Sacremento.   What was I thinking? I'd never taken any woman to Sacremento before. She was definitely special but was she that special?   I moved quickly, determined to get her off my mind for the meantime. There were pictures in the dark room that needed my utmost concentration.   Photography was the lucky bastard I had picked at a time when I realized I needed a hobby. My flare for beauty pushed me in that direction and so far I was loving it.   I entered the storage room I had recently converted into a dark room, rolled my sleeves up to my elbow, and moved to the table where the films waited.   An hour later, I left the room cursing heavily. The dark room had failed to keep my mind off Joanne. It would have helped if I could call her but our brief moments together were so overwhelming that I somehow managed to forget to ask for her number.   Her long silky red hair and eyes never lost the sparkling energy that acted like a gateway to the depths of her very soul. Today I saw her body, slick and curvaceous in the black swim dress she wore.   There's nothing off about this woman... I want her... I fucking want her...   I thought about Joanne so much that it made my dick throb painfully. My body ached for release. It cried out for it.   Fucking hell! What am I going to do now?   There was nothing worse than being alone in a lonely house with a hard-on durable enough to crack dried cement. I had to do something about it or I can kiss my mental peace goodbye. Inner peace too.   I paced the outer room thinking of ways to put myself out of my misery that didn't involve blowing my fucking brains off.   I could wank but that would just make my story super sad and super pathetic. It would deal with my erection for the meantime but I'll still be alone in a lonely house.   The second option was one I dreaded more than wanking even though it was agreeably more effective. I had a couple of women I could call over to take the edge off but the problem was getting whoever I choose to call off my neck.   They weren't mature like Joanne. Their immature bird-brained way of doing things was the greatest turn-off for me but then drastic times call for drastic measures.   After a quick scroll through my contact list, I saw the number and dialed.   ***   It irritated me to know I waited for Wendy White for half an hour.   All because I want to fuck, I thought bitterly.   Wendy, though childish, had the advantage of knowing when she was no longer needed. She wasn't bad to look at either but it's game over the moment her mouth starts moving.   She knocked on the wooden door twice, paused for a second, and knocked twice again.   Yep... that's Wendy   I opened the door and stood aside to let her in. I almost suffocated from the overwhelming rush of cologne that moved in with her. You'd swear she fell into the damned bottle.   "Hey, hottie." She said with a girlish smile.   I tried to convince myself calling her hadn't been a mistake. We were going to drink a bit, go upstairs, and fuck. That's it.   "Hey you," I moved into the room. "It's been a while."   Her tight leather outfit swished as she made her way over to where I stood. It was like a hailstorm of harsh fragrance pushing into me.   "It's been a while, eh?" Wendy winked. "Feels like you only call me when you wanna fuck."   I swallowed. Why else will I fucking call you? To hear your insightful opinion on politics or your views on growth?   "It's not like that, babe." I lied effortlessly.   My hand went around her ass. "It's just impossible to say no to this killer body of yours."   She moaned pulling closer to me while I held my breath for my safety. "Aww! You know just what to say to make a woman feel weak in the knees."   A girl...  To call you a woman would be a stretch.   I squeezed her ass which made her squeal. I knew her well enough to know grabbing her ass was a move she couldn't resist.   Her eyes danced as she looked up at me. "You're one handsome devil. Do you know that? Let's go upstairs already."   Finally...   ***   I burned through my second Newport at a speed that should have been considered inhumane. Smoking was one habit I vowed to put an end to but the demons always struck when I was on edge. And here I was, on edge.   Wendy put me on edge as she lay there comfortably naked beside me. I was a step away from flying off the fucking cliff.   Get dressed and take your janky ass home!   She turned sleepily, pulling closer to me. Cringing, I shifted away in the opposite direction.   Wake the fuck up and go already!   The sex was amazing but it was over. I finally got the release I wanted. All that was left now was getting her the fuck out of my place.   I knocked my timer off the nightstand twice but the bitch didn't even twitch which convinced me she was fake sleeping. Her ass should have reacted to the noise if she was really asleep.   Wendy, it's time to go!!!   I gritted my teeth, almost crushing the cigarette when the phone rang by my side. Wendy woke up hearing the sound and for the first time, I was grateful for a call after sex.   Checking the caller, I saw it was Sheriff Ryder. I grinned evilly.   Work... This is perfect. Just perfect.   "Hey, sheriff," I said out loud. Loud enough for her to hear it.   The sound of my voice made Wendy steer. She rolled over on her side and watched me with dark sleepy eyes.   Pretend all you want. It's time to go.   "What's up, Boss?" I asked, sitting upright on the bed.   Sheriff Ryder's deep voice sounded as clear as though the man was standing right beside me. "We got a problem, son. Why don't you come on out to Finney Park."   "Finney's?" I stretched to get a look at the time. It was almost midnight. "Pretty late, Boss.   The Sheriff sighed. It was weird because the man never sighed. This had to be serious.   "Everything good?"   Another sigh. "I'm 'fraid not."   This was followed by an agonizingly long pause. Just when I thought the line had gone dead, he said,   "There's a body here."     Joanne Matheus   My body ached.   It fucking throbbed for him. There was no way to explain it. Every single atom in me vibrated in wild anticipation because of him.   This is crazy...   He was doing things to my mind and body that were criminal. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the attention and the tingles but it didn't feel right.   "Mom," Ariel called from the kitchen.   The sound coming from the kitchen indicated she was unpacking the groceries she had gotten on our way from the beach.   "Yes, baby," I responded, trying to shut him out of my mind completely.   "Was that Oscar I saw you talking with earlier? At the beach."   Oscar... His name is Oscar.   "Uh, sure," I said, scrunching my nose.   I knew what was going to come next. Ariel was overprotective especially when it involved men. I couldn't blame her since I had a shitty record of picking assholes and good-for-nothing scumbags.   "Wow. That's quick."   I could almost hear the hint of a smile in her voice.   "What do you mean by that?" I asked defensively.   "Nothing." She said,   The tone was still there. I fiddled with the book in my hand nervously. I wasn't sure how she'd respond especially if she probed deep enough to find out I was going on a date with him tomorrow.   "Did I hear someone say 'Oscar'? I could swear I heard it." Davis jumped out from the door leading to the garage.   The stains on his shirt indicated he had been working on the car. He had a thing for fixing stuff even though it didn't need fixing. It was how he had met Ariel.   "I did, honey." Ariel's voice rose. "He was making a move on my mom."   "Oh really?" Davis didn't sound too pleased.   "Can you both stop talking about me like I'm not in the room? I'm old enough to have a conversation with a man."   There it is again. Why the fuck am I being so defensive. I almost sound like a fucking serial killer on trial.   "Did he flirt?" Ariel's question almost made me jump out of the chair.   I swallowed hard trying my best to sound casual as I said, "What if he did?"   Her giggle made me feel like pulling out my hair. She was enjoying it.   "He did, huh." Her voice was dripping in mischief. "Did you flirt back?"   Ariel?!   Just as I was about to protest, the sound of the phone ringing beat me to it. Ariel walked out of the kitchen to get the phone.   "It's for you, babe," Ariel called out to Davis.   "Who?" He mouthed, reaching her with long strides.   "Sheriff Ryder."   Davis hesitated for a second before taking the receiver. I felt the tension ease from my body. They were no longer talking about my time with Oscar.   "I'm on my way," Davis said.   He dropped the phone and moved fast. His face darkened compared to how it looked before the call. There was something wrong.   "What is it?" Ariel asked, noticing the change.   I shifted in my seat.   "They found a body over at Finney Park. Think it might be murder. We haven't had one of those in like forever."   Ariel gasped. The color drained out of her face and she looked like she was going to be sick.   Davis grabbed his jacket.   "Wait." I got up fast. "I think you might need me."   He paused. Ariel stared at me in disbelief. She protested with words that jumbled out of her mouth too fast for me to decipher.   I'd been the lead CSI in Gilberg for ten years before quitting to work real estate. I knew my way around dead bodies and active crime scenes and from what Davis just said, they might ruin the whole thing without some professional insight.   Davis knew about this which was the reason he was still waiting by the doorway. I could see it in his eyes. They needed my help.   "I'll be fine, baby." I winked at Ariel.   She scowled but she wasn't protesting anymore.   "Let's go."

*Oscar Delaney* I arrived at Finney Park feeling an equal dose of relief and exhaustion. The relief came from knowing Wendy was no longer on my bed contaminating my sheets with her terrible cologne. I considered burning the sheets when I got back. As for the exhaustion, well you know –   Sheriff Ryder stood by the gate with a cigar the size of a fist between his lips. The weird thing about it was that Ryder didn't smoke.   First the sigh now this.   "It's a bloody mess, kid." He said as I approached him.   I got close enough to notice his hand shaking. This was also a first. Sheriff Ryder got the nickname Steel Gut Ryder for a reason.   "How bad is it?" I swallowed through the lump in my throat.    He shuddered visibly. "You'll have to see for yourself."   I wasn't sure I wanted to see the body anymore, not with the way it affected Sheriff Ryder.   He suggested we wait for Davis before going in. Apparently, the night guard at the park had been doing his round when he stumbled upon the body; not literally though. That would have fucked up the crime scene.    I could kill for a drink right about now, I thought feeling my nerves turn to liquid.   It took less than 10 minutes for Davis's Mini Cooper to pull over. I was glad to see him.   "It's about time," I said, rushing over to his door.   I failed to notice the woman at the passenger's seat until she opened the door and stepped out.   Joanne!   My heartbeat increased to a maddening pace. It banged hard against my chest with enough impact to bring down a wall.   What the fuck is she doing here?!   "What's she doing here?" Sheriff Ryder asked as he joined us.   She walked around, her steps deliberate and confident.   "I'm here because I think I might be able to help," Joanne said to Sheriff Ryder.   Help? How??   "How?" Ryder asked.   "I was the head CSI at Gilberg for ten years. I know my way around a crime scene."   Sheriff Ryder breathed a big sigh of relief. I knew we were heavily understaffed and we had never had to deal with a murder so we had our balls in the wind on this one but if what Joanne said was true then we were lucky.   "Hey." I smiled at her.   Her smile was enough to destroy the solar system. She pushed a flask to me as we walked to the gate.   I opened the flask without hesitating. It was coffee. She had brought coffee with her to a crime scene.    Who does that?! She's my new hero.   "Thanks."   We entered the park in silence and stayed that way until we reached the clearing just before the well-trimmed thicket.   "It's back here." Sheriff Ryder said in an unsteady voice.   Davis seemed to have a lot on his mind. His face took a serious stone hard expression.   Just as we turned behind the dumpsters, I saw a shoe stained with what I could only imagine was blood. Blood dried on the floor but there was a thick pool of it that led up to a leg.   Fuck.   Cold fingers ran through my spine as I saw the whole thing. I looked at the body for ten seconds max before I turned away retreating as fast as my legs would let me.   Holy mother of God! What kind of animal would do that to another human being?   Hot bile threatened to move through my digestive system but it retreated after a few puffs of fresh air.   "You good?" Sheriff Ryder asked, coming up behind me.   Hell no!   I turned to tell him I wasn't but stopped when I saw how green his face had become. He looked like a spinach come to life. I almost felt bad for the poor guy. He also had the chief to take care of once this mess got out, not to mention the press people.   We decided to question the security guy, Freddie, to find out more about what he knew. He knew nothing.   Repeating the questions to him didn't change his answer. He was just as affected by the whole thing as we all were.   It would be a miracle if we close this case before Christmas. The whole setup had too many holes.   I could visualize every important thing I had planned for a month being eviscerated into dust.   Fuck. My date with Joanne is tomorrow!   I wanted this so badly. The very idea of canceling it filled me with rage. Not this. Anything but this.   "Hey, man," Davis said as he walked up behind me.   "Look, I think I might be here longer. Joanne just rounded up the observation. Do you mind driving her back home for me?" He asked.   Joanne Matheus   The scene hadn't been contaminated. It looked almost too good; too clean.    She wasn't killed here. Even a blind man could point that out.    The next thing I noticed was her underwear. It was missing. There wasn't a woman alive that would wear a simple wool dress with a plaid mini skirt without wearing panties underneath. The panties helped seduction if we went with that angle.   It didn't take long to notice the marks around her thighs and dried semen.   The sheriff and Oscar had run off while Davis watched me from a distance quietly as I worked. They were all green. I didn't blame them. The killer had done a heck of a job hacking her away like she was nothing.   The killer was an amateur. There were hair fragments on her clothes and broken skin in her fingernails. I reckon they'd close the case in a day or two.   An ambulance arrived just as I was rounding up. It felt good working on a case after so long. The thrill. There was nothing like it.   The ME, Garry Bishop, came out of the ambulance looking like he was just dragged out of bed. It was starting to feel like I was the only one excited to crack this thing.   Don't get me wrong, I felt terrible for the victim. She had to be around the same age as Ariel. It could be my daughter lying lifeless on that cold floor. Finding the killer was my way of showing her I cared.   I shared my observations with Aaron and he promised to get me the full picture once they were through with the autopsy and tests.   They had needed my help after all and for the first time in a while, I didn't feel completely useless.   Davis stepped over in his usual hurried long strides. He seemed to have recovered his color.   "Are you okay?" His eyes were filled with concern.   "Sure." I meant it.   He eyed me for a while and then nodded. "I think I might hang around a while longer. Oscar will drop you off at the cabin if you don't mind."   I took a while to digest what he just said. A hurried response would be my undoing and it would be weird if I delayed.   "It's fine," I said softly.   It's fantastic! It's terrific! It's super fine...   Davis walked to the corner talking to a tall dark figure who happened to be Oscar. He left Davis and walked over. He was the most impressive man I've seen in a long time.    There was something dark, dangerous, and equally sexy about the way he moved. It took my breath out of my lungs just watching him.   "Hey there again." He smiled.   "Hey right back at you," I said with a smile of my own.   It was amazing how this man who could easily get any woman he wanted seemed to have his mind fixed on me.   "You did good back there." He winked at me.   I jabbed his side. "Thanks. That's a lot coming from a man who's scared of a little blood."   "A little?" He gasped in shock. "You call that a little blood?"   "I've seen worse."   "The worst bloody mess I've seen in my entire life was from a paper cut." He said, raising a brow.   I laughed so hard my sides hurt. "You can't be serious."   "Well, I am. Paper cuts can be a real bitch."   I paused for a moment to stare at his chaotic handsome face. He had the kind of face a woman could never forget. The face of trouble. Irresistible trouble.     As I climbed into the passenger seat of his car, the night air felt cool against my skin. He kept looking at me from time to time which gave us the opportunity of being in deep moments.   As we buckled up, Oscar's voice resonated with a mischievous tone, gracefully dancing with my curiosity. "You know, Joanne, I can't help but think about our planned date tomorrow. I've been looking forward to it all day. Too bad we have to cancel it."   Cancel what now?    My heart fluttered at what he just said. I could understand why he would think we have to cancel the date with what was happening right now but I didn't want that. I also knew this man was exceptional, his tender gestures and easy manner have already won me over.   "Who says we have to cancel?"   He flinched. By the look on his face, he wasn't expecting that response at all. Well, I was still looking forward to our date together.   "But –"   "No buts. Just make sure you pick me up. I need the opportunity to explore the town. Remember I just got here."   Quick thinking... Wonderful angle.   Oscar nodded. "Yeah. I didn't think about that."   I smirked, feeling a playful glint in my eyes. "Don't you think you're taking a big risk? What if one of your girlfriends were to see us together – you'd get maimed. No need to wonder who the next victim would be."   With a hearty laugh, he said, "I don't have girlfriends. Most of the women here are still kids."   "Oh. I see."   His eyes gleamed as if he had discovered a kindred spirit. His words became lighter and more animated, flowing effortlessly like poetry itself. The conversation danced around topics that ranged from deep philosophical musings to light-hearted banter. Oscar's words were a charming orchestra that played harmoniously in my ears, filling the silence of the darkened road.   The minutes passed swiftly, and before I knew it, we found ourselves on the winding road leading to the cabin. As the car neared the driveway, Oscar parked and turned his head toward me. His face was illuminated by the warm glow of the moon, and there was an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes.   "Joanne," he said softly, his voice brimming with sincerity, "I must admit, I'm enjoying every moment we spend together. You have a way of enchanting me with your intellect and your beautiful spirit."   Feeling a mix of exhilaration and vulnerability, I met his gaze with a genuine smile. At that moment, the boundaries between camaraderie and romance blurred, and an undeniable connection was forged between us. His words hung in the air, creating an unforgettable symphony that echoed through the night.   "Oscar..." I whispered, my voice filled with desire, "I feel the same way. Our conversations, our shared laughter, they mean more to me than words can express."   What are you saying? Shut up!   His hand reached out, gently caressing mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. I marveled at how our thoughts and emotions had seamlessly intertwined as if fate itself had orchestrated our first chanced encounter and even now.   "See you tomorrow, Oscar," I said using every strength I had to pull myself from his subtle seduction.   I opened the car door and got out. The cold night licked my body, making me shiver slightly.   "I'd better go in. It's freezing out here."   "Wait." He rushed before I could turn around to leave. "Don't I at least get a kiss for driving you back?"   "Let's see how tomorrow goes. If you're lucky you might get more than a kiss."